(Reuters) - Children's television series "Sesame Street" said on Friday it was adding a third Spanish-speaking character to its cast and will put a special focus on Hispanic heritage in its upcoming season, in an acknowledgement of changing U.S. demographics.

Bilingual character Armando, who will be portrayed by 26-year-old Puerto Rico-born actor Ismael Cruz Cordova, will debut in September on the long-running series of people and puppets that airs on public broadcaster PBS.

"Like his character 'Mando,' Ismael represents a culturally fluid and deeply layered new generation of Hispanic-Americans," Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of "Sesame Street," said in a statement.

"He has a passion for creative expression and a warmth that comes right through the camera," Parente added.